Ready to Buy, Start, or Grow a Business in the Wood River Valley? This Event Is for You.

Launching a business takes more than a great idea. It takes the right knowledge, the right network, and the right support. On May 12, 2026, the Valley Chamber of Commerce and Sun Valley Economic Development are bringing that support directly to you with a free, half-day training event at Town Center West in Hailey, designed specifically for entrepreneurs who are ready to take action.

Whether you're exploring the purchase of an existing local business, laying the groundwork for a new venture, or pushing an established business toward its next stage of growth, this event gives you direct access to the expertise you need. Hear from Bryan Matsuoka of the Idaho Small Business Development Center, who brings deep knowledge of business planning and development resources available right here in Idaho. Amy Brinkman of Frontier Community Resources will walk you through financial literacy and loan readiness, and critical foundations for anyone looking to buy, launch, or expand. And Kaitlyn Harrison of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce brings a national perspective on what it takes for small businesses to compete and thrive.

The afternoon shifts into interactive breakout sessions where you choose the topics most relevant to your business journey!

This is a rare opportunity to sit down with experienced advisors, ask real questions, and walk away with a clearer path forward.

Lunch is provided!

Free to attend. May 12, 2026. 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Town Center West, Hailey

---

Meet Your Presenters

Bryan Matsuoka

Regional Director | Small Business Development Center - South-Central Idaho

Bryan has been with the Idaho Small Business Development Center since 1996 and served as the South Central Regional Director since 2006.

He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Boise State University and received his Masters of Education from the University of Idaho.

After a long career in public education, Bryan became a sales representative and general manager of a software development firm for Hewlett Packard Company. He is a successful business owner and worked as a marketing director.

Bryan also served as the Secretary/ Treasurer member of the Board of Directors for an Idaho Corporation, LLC formation.

Amy Brinkman

Director of Small Business Lending | Frontier Community Resources

Amy Brinkman brings more than two decades of financial services expertise to her role as Director of Small Business Lending at Frontier Community Resources, where she works alongside entrepreneurs to help them access the capital and guidance they need to launch, sustain, and grow their businesses.

Before joining Frontier Community Resources, Amy built a distinguished 19-year career with Wells Fargo Bank, holding progressive leadership roles including Branch Manager, Business Relationship Manager, and District Manager. In that capacity, she directly oversaw a regional network of 12 locations and 125 employees. Developing a reputation for building strong teams, cultivating meaningful client relationships, and navigating complex shifts in the financial landscape with steady, strategic leadership. Her technical expertise spans financial analysis, risk assessment, lending, and business management.

What has always driven Amy most is people. She has a genuine passion for understanding the inner workings of a client's business and building the kind of trusted relationships that lead to real outcomes.

Amy earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1992. A longtime Idaho resident, she has called Buhl home since that same year, where she lives with her husband Derrik. She is a proud mother of two grown daughters and a grandmother. Outside of work, Amy stays active through yoga, running, biking, and reading.